Personal Leadership One Slice at a Time

Last night, a group of Lithuanian professionals - LT Big Brother Netherlands community - gathered at Ristorante Pizzeria Giordano in Amsterdam - not just to share delicious pizza, but to reflect, connect, and grow together.

During our “Leadership Pizza” evening, we explored the idea that leadership is not a title or a role - it’s a way of being. Through conversation, reflection, and practice, participants used the Leadership Pizza tool to map out their own unique ingredients of leadership: what nourishes them, what they’re hungry to develop, and where balance is still needed.

The session was alive with insight. In micro-mentoring rounds, participants took turns stepping into the roles of both mentor and mentee, discovering how much wisdom can emerge in just a few minutes of open-hearted listening. These short exchanges reminded us that leadership flourishes in dialogue - when we dare to be seen, to listen, and to grow in connection with others.

As the evening unfolded, one recurring theme kept resonating deeply to me: You are not your thoughts.

So often, our inner voice - that constant stream of commentary - can cloud our perception of who we are and what we are capable of. True personal leadership begins when we learn to pause, to observe, and to choose consciously rather than react automatically. It’s a practice of awareness: being present not only in mind, but also in body.

Leadership, in this sense, is less about control and more about connection - with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. When we tune into our breath, our sensations, our intuition, we discover that clarity and calm arise naturally. From that grounded place, decisions become wiser, relationships deeper, and creativity freer.

The aroma of freshly baked pizza, the laughter echoing through the restaurant, and the energy of shared discovery all reminded us: leadership doesn’t have to be heavy. It can be joyful, embodied, and delicious.

Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed a slice of your wisdom, presence, and curiosity. Thank you to Aušra for the support and to Joseph for being our amazing host. May this gathering be a reminder to lead with awareness - one mindful, nourishing moment at a time.